Founder’s Favorite Concerts

Music has been the soundtrack to my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Indiana, some of my earliest memories are tied to the electric feeling of a live show. Journey's anthemic rock, Tom Petty's storytelling, Elton John's theatrical brilliance, John Mayer's guitar mastery, and Jay-Z's commanding stage presence all shaped the way I hear and experience music. Those early concerts planted a seed that has only grown deeper with time. Today, I run Q2 Earplugs, and protecting my hearing while fully experiencing live music is something I'm passionate about sharing with every fan out there.

When I moved to California, a whole new world opened up. Friends introduced me to the festival circuit: Coachella, Outside Lands, and Life is Beautiful. Suddenly I wasn't just attending concerts, I was immersing myself in entire weekends of music, art, and community. It was also when I started taking hearing health more seriously. Festivals are loud, long, and relentless on your ears. That's where my mission with concert earplugs truly began.

While it's impossible to narrow down a lifetime of incredible shows, a few performances have stayed with me in a way that's hard to put into words.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Few bands carry the weight of California's musical identity the way the Red Hot Chili Peppers do. Watching Anthony Kiedis command the stage, Flea's bass lines hitting you in the chest, John Frusciante's guitar soaring over the crowd, and Chad Smith holding it all together on drums is something truly special. Their production is massive, their energy relentless, and their lyrics carry a depth that rewards every listen. This is absolutely a show you want to experience with a great pair of concert earplugs because the sound levels can be intense, and you want to protect your hearing for decades of future listening.

Oasis at the Rose Bowl

When the Gallagher brothers announced their reunion tour, I had to be there. Seeing Oasis at the Rose Bowl was one of the most nostalgic, emotionally charged nights of my life. Liam and Noel performing together again, a setlist that felt like a greatest hits of my adolescence, and a crowd that sang every single word back to the stage. The history of tinnitus is full of musicians who wish they had protected their hearing at shows like this one. I was grateful to have my concert earplugs with me.

Chance the Rapper

If you've never seen Chance the Rapper live, put it on your bucket list. The energy he brings is unlike anything else. He connects with his audience on a deeply personal level, and the positivity and passion in the room is something you can physically feel. His fans are some of the most devoted, joyful people in music. Learn more about how tinnitus prevention can help you keep attending incredible shows like this one for years to come.

Tame Impala

There is nothing quite like a Tame Impala show. What Kevin Parker creates in the studio as essentially a one-man operation transforms into one of the most visually and sonically spectacular live experiences in modern music. The psychedelic rock visuals, the wall of sound, the way the entire production washes over you is overwhelming in the best way. The American Tinnitus Association has long highlighted how prolonged exposure to loud music is one of the leading causes of hearing damage, and Tame Impala concerts are exactly the kind of unforgettable show worth protecting your ears for with concert earplugs.

I have been incredibly lucky to witness so many extraordinary performances, and I know there are so many more ahead. But no matter what show I'm walking into, my concert earplugs are always in my pocket. If you're curious about the story behind Q2 Earplugs and why hearing health became my mission, head over to my story. You can also check out our FAQ page or contact us if you have any questions. Music is meant to be experienced fully, and with the right protection, it can be. See you at the next show.